Cyclones star guard Lindell Wigginton talks about his options, after entering the NBA draft evaluation process without an agent.

Iowa State guard Lindell Wigginton shoots over Texas Longhorns guard Kerwin Roach II during their game in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center on March 7, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri.(Photo: Amy Kontras/USA TODAY Sports)

That was his rookie season specialty. He’s a wonderful shooter. He’s good at getting to the rim — and people still fawn over his eye-popping dunk over 6-9 Khadeem Lattin at Oklahoma last season.

If anyone had doubts about his athletic ability before then — well, they’re gone now.

He’s not yet a true point guard. He can develop that. He’ll become that, and he’ll probably be very good at it.

But he’s not there just yet.

"Talent is paramount, but perception is also reality," ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla told the Register on Monday. "Not a lot of people really know how good a freshman year he had, in part because Iowa State was in rebuilding mode.

"Given the fact that he’s not invited to the combine — I would come back for my sophomore year and try to dominate the Big 12. With the improvement of the team next year, that could put him on the national map."

Wigginton told a couple of reporters in early April that his desire is to play in the NBA, not the NBA’s G-League.

“Then Iowa State,” Wigginton said. “I don’t want to play in the G-League.

“My goal is to play in the NBA — and stay in the NBA. I don’t want to go to the G-League.

“If it comes to that choice — I’m obviously coming back to school.”

Wigginton didn’t grow up wanting to be a G-Leaguer. He grew up wanting to be the first guy from Nova Scotia to play in the NBA.

The G-League isn’t a life sentence. Monte Morris played most of last season in the G-League — and earned well over $200,000. Same for Georges Niang and Naz Mitrou-Long.

Reaching the NBA is a process unless you’re a top 10 or so draft pick. Prohm is good at developing NBA point guards. He did it at Murray State with Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne — both of whom are NBA veterans. He coached Morris during his final two Iowa State seasons. All three played as seniors.

Wigginton isn’t at that level yet. He probably needs at least one more college season, but there’s nothing wrong with testing the NBA waters.

"Very few in the (NBA) have the Monte Morris, pass-first point guard makeup," Fraschilla said. "You need dynamic scoring from as many spots on the floor as possible. Lindell is in the process of proving to people that he can score.

"I still think it would benefit him to come back, get in the gym and polish up his game."

Wigginton was smart in tossing his name into the NBA Draft hopper. He was smart in not hiring an agent. He was smart to continue working out with his teammates inside Iowa State’s Sukup practice facility.

NBA guy and Fraschilla agree he’d be smart to return for his sophomore season, too.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.